Stand up paddlers attempted but failed to break a new Guinness World Record for the most surfers riding a single wave at the end of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny competitions in Dana Point. With the old record standing at 110 set in Cape Town, South Africa in 2009, only 88 were officially counted today even though enough people were in the water to break the record. Some of the paddlers accidentally took the wrong wave. Only one attempt was made as the waves had died down at the start of the attempt. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

DANA POINT – Usually, the last thing a surfer wants is another person on the same wave.

But there was an exception on Sunday at the Rainbow Sandals Gerry Lopez Battle of the Paddle as about 170 standup paddlers and surfers tried to catch the ultimate party wave at Doheny State Beach, an attempt to break the Guinness World Record set in South Africa with 110 surfers in 2009.

The effort fell short, with an early count showing that only about 88 people were able to ride the same wave.

“It was a good attempt,” said Scott Stewart, an event coordinator who reviewed photos and videos. “We got closer last year.”

In 2012, 95 people stood on the same wave. Several factors make such an attempt difficult.

First, the surfers had to stay in one spot – which sounds easy, except when fun set waves showed up and it was too tempting to break the line and take off, causing confusion in the water.

“Please do not take off, do not go on the waves,” an announcer would repeatedly call.

Then, the waves have to be just right. Iconic surfers Corky Carroll and Lopez watched the water with binoculars for waves that looked good enough to ride. It couldn’t be just any wave, because it had to reach far enough so that more than 110 people could ride at the same time.

And this year, on a day filled with plenty of waves, the ocean went flat just as 170 standup paddlers stood out in the water, waiting.

Finally, a set showed, announcers blew the horn and people dug their paddles into the ocean. Some slipped off their boards and fell, while others weren’t able to get into the wave. There was also some confusion on which waves riders were supposed to take, some taking the first in the set, others waiting for the second wave to form.

Even if a record weren’t broken, it was quite the party wave as surfers tried not to collide with others next to them.

“So many people wiped out,” said surfer Marcus Young. “It was great just seeing everyone having a good time.”

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Stand up paddlers attempted but failed to break a new Guinness World Record for the most surfers riding a single wave at the end of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny competitions in Dana Point. With the old record standing at 110 set in Cape Town, South Africa in 2009, only 88 were officially counted today even though enough people were in the water to break the record. Some of the paddlers accidentally took the wrong wave. Only one attempt was made as the waves had died down at the start of the attempt. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Troy Huston of New Zealand raises his hands in celebration coming in from the water just before crossing the finish line as he and his team, Wow Sup, comes in first for the Open SUP Relay race Sunday, part of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny at Doheny State Beach, Dana Point. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Stand-up paddle racers take to the water at the start of the Elite SUP Relay race on Sunday, part of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Spectators and team supporters fill Doheny State Beach in Dana Point during the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny stand-up paddle races Sunday afternoon. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Stand up paddlers attempted but failed to break a new Guinness World Record for the most surfers riding a single wave at the end of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny competitions in Dana Point. With the old record standing at 110 set in Cape Town, South Africa in 2009, only 88 were officially counted today even though enough people were in the water to break the record. Some of the paddlers accidentally took the wrong wave. Only one attempt was made as the waves had died down at the start of the attempt. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Stand up paddlers ride the waves in, after rousing a buoy/marker out in the water during the Open SUP Relay race Sunday, part of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny at Doheny State Beach, Dana Point. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
During the Elite SUP Relay race, stand up paddlers Zane Schweitzer, Kelly Margetts, Kai Lenny and Riggs Napoleon, from left, compete on Sunday. Team Naish, that includes Kai Lenny, third from left, took first place for the relay race, part of the Battle of the Paddle event at Doheny State Beach in Dana Point. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Brennan Rose, of team Rogue Sup, paddles in during the Elite SUP Relay race on Sunday, part of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny at Doheny State Beach, Dana Point. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER
Stand up paddlers attempt to break a new Guinness World Record for the most surfers riding a single wave at the end of the Battle of the Paddle in Doheny competitions in Dana Point. With the old record standing at 110 set in Cape Town, South Africa, in 2009, only 88 were officially counted even though enough were in the water to break the record, with some of the paddlers accidentally taking the wrong wave. Only one attempt was made as the waves had died down at the start of the attempt. STEVEN GEORGES, FOR THE REGISTER

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